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Frequently Asked Questions

When are applications due?

For MS, Advanced Certificate, and DNP programs, the application deadline is March 1 for admission in the fall semester. The Community/Public Health Nursing MS program also admits candidates in the spring semester (Deadline: December 1). The deadline for the PhD in Nursing program is December 15 for admission in the summer term. Any extensions or changes to these annual deadlines will be posted here.

 

Where can I apply? How should I send my application materials?

Applications are completed entirely online through the Hunter College Office of Graduate Admissions website. Please refer there for more information about the application process.

 

Is part-time study available?

Yes, in fact most of our graduate students attend part-time, although a few attend on a full-time basis (12 or more credits per semester). For some specializations such as the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP master's program, full-time study is not possible due to factors like course sequencing, prerequisite requirements, and clinical preceptorship requirements.

 

I am an RN with an associate's degree in nursing. Can I apply to the master's or DNP program?

No; applicants to our graduate programs must have at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a current New York State RN license. If you are an RN without a baccalaureate degree, you may want to first look into our undergraduate RN-BS program.

 

I am not an RN, but I have a bachelor's degree in a field other than nursing. Can I apply to the master's or DNP program?

No; applicants to our graduate programs must have at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a current New York State RN license. If you are not an RN and you have a bachelor's degree in another field, you may want to look into our accelerated second-degree program or our generic undergraduate program.

 

How much nursing experience do I need before applying to one of your graduate programs?

Please refer to the admission requirements of the program to which you are applying for any specific requirements. In general, we strongly recommend gaining at least one year of full-time nursing experience before applying. Many of our students have at least two years of experience before beginning graduate study; some have more.

 

What kinds of roles does your Adult-Gerontology NP program prepare me for?

Our Adult-Gerontology NP specialization focuses on primary care (vs. acute care), preparing graduates for the AGPCNP role as providers of direct health care services to young adult, adult, and older adult populations. This includes practice in health promotion, health protection, and disease prevention. Our AGPCNP program prepares graduates to practice as primary care clinicians working in a variety of settings that focus on the patient's health needs, including ambulatory, community-based settings. Read about other advanced nursing specializations here.

 

I graduated with more than a 3.0 GPA from my undergraduate program, but I was not accepted into your program. Why?

For our master's programs, 3.0 is the minimum GPA required (for the DNP and PhD programs, the minimum is 3.5). Some of our programs receive many more applications than we can accept, so applicants who meet the minimum requirements are not always accepted. Please keep in mind that your GPA is computed based on grades from all post-secondary schools you have attended. Also, we look at your overall, cumulative GPA (all courses attended) and your GPA in your major—i.e., based on the nursing courses you completed.

We also take other factors into consideration, such as professional experience, recommendation letters, the applicant's personal statement, and the applicant's understanding of the program specialization/population focus for which they are applying. Please see our admissions requirements page for details on applying to the master's program, post-graduate advanced certificate program, DNP program, and PhD program.

 

Is the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) required for graduate admission?

No; the GRE is not required for our Master of Science (MS), Advanced Certificate PMHNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) , or Nursing PhD programs.

 

Can I visit the school to find out more about your programs?

We hold an open house annually for anyone who is interested in applying to our programs, typically in the winter. Dates are posted on our website as soon as they are set.

 

How often during the week do classes meet on campus?

Courses typically meet once a week on campus, unless it is designated as a 'Hybrid'. Hybrid courses replace between 33% and 80% of scheduled class meetings with online activities/meetings.

 

I want to arrange my schedule so that I am on campus just one or two days a week. Is this possible?

Many graduate-level nursing courses are offered in the afternoons and evenings to allow students to attend more than one class on the same day. Clinical practicum requirements vary by program and semester and often require additional time off during the week to complete these hours. It is best to plan for at least one day off during the week, and at least two days off during the week when taking clinical courses. Rigid work schedules may present significant challenges to progressing and meeting program requirements.

 

Do you offer courses during the summer and winter (intersession)?

Yes, but our course offerings during the summer and intersession are limited. Course availability depends in part on faculty availability during these times. It also depends on whether a course is suitable to be offered over a shorter term than a full semester. The length of courses offered during summer and intersession will vary, but the majority of them meet twice per week due to their abbreviated timeframe.

 

Do you offer online programs?

Not at this time. Though many of our courses are offered in a blended/hybrid (partially online and partially face-to-face) format, none of our graduate programs may be completed entirely online.